§ 46. Mr. Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether he will now appoint an independent committee of inquiry to investigate all matters pertaining to Great Britain's recent armed conflict with Egypt.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. LewisIn view of the fact that the previous Administration gave us a different excuse and a different reason every day for the reasons for declaring, or rather having an undeclared, war—[Interruption.]—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder.
§ Mr. LewisI shall have to repeat that, Mr. Speaker. because hon. Gentlemen opposite were shouting, and I am sure that my hon. Friends did not hear it. Can I therefore repeat myself and say, in view of the fact—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Mr. Speaker, may I ask you for your permission to put my supplementary question without a barrage from hon. Gentlemen opposite?
§ Mr. SpeakerIf the hon. Member puts his question in an interrogatory form. He was beginning to make a statement.
§ Mr. LewisYes, Mr. Speaker, I did put it in an interrogatory form, and I always do. I will again ask the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that the previous Administration gave a different excuse almost every day for the reasons for the armed conflict with Egypt, whether it would not now be better for him to give us the official information, which he must have available, and let the country judge as to the honesty of the previous Administration?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Question which I have answered asks for a committee of inquiry. To that I have answered, "No, Sir". I repeat that this is a field in which the Government of the day have responsibility. The matter has been very fully debated in the House, and I have nothing to add.